How to Raise a Puppy You’ll Love to Have in Your Life

A professional dog trainer shares the ABC’s of training.

Do you know why the majority of dogs are relinquished to shelters? Most commonly, it is because of behavior problems.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists pet problems as the reason 47% of dogs are re-homed. Problematic and aggressive behaviors were listed number one.

Even worse, dogs are euthanized because of avoidable challenges such as separation anxiety, resource guarding, and even housebreaking issues.

Early death is a tragic ending to the dog’s life and a heart-breaking loss to the owner.

It is so unnecessary. If you invest time training your dog for the first year, you will enjoy his entire lifetime together.

My first puppy, an Alaskan husky, was a gift for my eighth birthday.

Of course, as a kid growing up in Alaska, I pictured my career as a dog musher.

That didn’t happen, but my first puppy, named Bear, encouraged my lifelong love of dogs.

I won first prize in a local dog training competition when I was 12 with my second dog, Bjerga, a Norwegian Elkhound mix, and that fueled my love of training.

Eventually, I discovered the fantastic dog sport of Schutzhund and went on to open a kennel, raising German Shepherds and Dutch Shepherds for pet, competition, and police service dogs.

My Dutch Shepherd, Foxie. (Photo by author)

As a professional dog trainer for many years, I worked with well-meaning dog owners that did not understand the basics of establishing a properly trained dog.

It’s not that hard, especially when you start with a puppy. You can retrain a dog at any age; it just takes a bit of time.

Remember the A-B-C’s of raising a well-behaved, happy dog.

A- Control your puppy or dog

B- Be consistent in what you do

C- Crate train

Control your dog physically.

Maintaining control of your dog is one of the simplest ways to prevent inappropriate behavior.

I recommend keeping your new pet in a dog-proof enclosure, on a leash or line, or under your direct supervision during the first year he joins your life.

Dog-proof means an escape-proof yard or room with no irresistible temptations, including hoses, shoes, children’s toys, or cats, for instance. When you are not interacting with him, he should be in this protected space.

Trust me — it is 100 times easier to prevent a destructive habit.

If you don’t prevent it — you’ll have to correct it. And that’s a lot harder.

If your dog does not learn to chew on shoes, for instance, during his first exuberant year, he is unlikely to.

Attach a light cotton cord eight feet long, to the puppy’s collar when he is loose in the house or an enclosed yard. You can catch the end of the line easier than you can grab a fast-moving puppy!

For instance, if he chases the cat, you can correct him with a brief tug and a loud “No!” and the cat will love you.

Be Consistent.

Stick to the rules. You don’t want your dog to beg for table food, so never share your tasty dinner.

When an 8-pound puppy jumps on you, it might not be so bad, but a full-grown dog with muddy paws won’t be fun.

If your pup is too excited when you return, ignore him until he quiets down and then instantly reinforce the calm behavior. I call it the four paws on the ground to get my positive attention rule.

Praise him with a happy “Good puppy!” every time he does a behavior you want, and he will be eager to do it again and again. Fortunately, it’s easy to encourage dogs to be good.

Dogs are programmed to repeat behavior that works.

Years ago, I was at a Schutzhund seminar with the world-renowned German trainer, Bernhard Flinks. He explained, “Dogs repeatedly do the same thing because they have a hopeful feeling they’ll get a reward.”

Of course, if you give them a bite off the table or let them ignore you when you call them, they will do that repeatedly, too!

I’ve never forgotten that this trait is at the root of all positive dog training.

Crate Train Your Puppy.

I guarantee you will be glad you taught your new dog to be happy in his crate. Choose a sturdy, airy plastic or metal crate and make it the pup’s quiet place, and he will soon enjoy his comfortable den.

Let me be very clear. Your dog should not spend most of his time in a crate. It is a safe place for your puppy to be at night or you when you can’t keep an eye on him; it’s not a cage for him to live in.

Do not get a puppy if you don’t have plenty of time to spend with him.

Puppies need love, exercise, and socialization. They are active, noisy, and demanding.

But, they are not humans, and it is O.K. for them to be in their crate, at times.

The first time you shut him in his crate, already have one of his favorite treats inside.

He may sound like his little heart is breaking, but he’ll be fine.

Leave the room and as soon as he is quiet, return and let him out while telling him what a great puppy he is.

Place him in the crate several times the first day, and he will gradually get used to it.

Put him in it to sleep and whenever you are not actively watching him.

Every time you take him out, CARRY him to his potty place, and he will quickly learn to eliminate outside, not in the house.

A general rule is that a puppy can stay in a crate for one hour for each month of its age; for instance, a three-month-old pup can be left in for three hours, for a maximum of eight hours. At night, but you will have to get up once to take him outside to relieve himself.

Love your puppy, spend time with him, and you’ll have a great companion.

If you have chosen to adopt an older dog, the same principles apply, but you’ll likely move through them faster.

He may have habits you want to change, and you use the same techniques of being consistent and rewarding the behavior you want to encourage.

During the first year, it is essential to teach the pup or dog basic obedience, too. By your pup’s first birthday, he should reliably sit, lay down, walk calmly on a leash, and stay for at least three minutes.

Every day good behavior matters.

Good manners include not showing aggression to other dogs and humans or barking uncontrollably. Take your dog walking in a variety of locations so that he’s comfortable with loud traffic noises, running children, and even slippery floors.

For grooming and vet examinations, the dog must be comfortable with a stranger handling him and trimming his nails.

All of this time spent together will create a strong bond between you and your dog. And he’ll be a great companion and pleasant to be with, too.

For more detailed information on raising puppies, including how to obedience train, exercise, and socialize them, I recommend Victoria Stilwell’s helpful site.